What would you do?

The Jewish history is a tumultuous one at best; it is a hodge-podge of confusion. With all the mystery and hatred surrounding this tiny nation; a Jewish writer for the Atlanta Jewish Times had the nerve to mention the assassination of President Obama. This talk isn’t new nor will it end until he’s finished serving his second term in office, should he be reelected. Andrew Adler had a lot to say before the backlash landed him in hot water; his verbiage bordered on cocky that is until his bluff was met. It’s easy for journalists and bloggers to sit idly by and act irresponsibly. We are hopefully serving with a purpose and we can say anything we want, but we shouldn’t become reactionary when we are met with opposition. Adler boldly said, “For Israel to attack Hezbollah and Hamas, for Israel to strike Iran directly, or -- and most controversially -- for Israel to "order a hit" by US-based Mossad agents on Obama in order to allow the "current vice president to take his place and forcefully dictate that the United States' police includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies” and “Three, give the go-ahead for U.S.-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice president to take his place, and forcefully dictate that the United States' policy includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies. Yes, you read "three" correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel's existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don't you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel's most inner circles? Another way of putting "three" in perspective goes something like this: How far would you go to save a nation comprised of seven million lives...Jews, Christians and Arabs alike? You have got to believe, like I do, that all options are on the table. This is irresponsible journalism in any form. Israel isn’t beyond reproach, some of the negativity leveled at it is warranted, some not.

My problem is how people make Israel out to be the beacon of hope. Genesis 12:1-3, provides us with some insight; out of the three promises we learn to accept the third: we are (individually) and as a whole are blessed. The problem arises with all the gushing over Israel; aside from the Bible, what have they done for us a nation? Have people read why the U.S. gives so much aid to this small nation. Start asking the uncomfortable question like, when did Israel serve as a mercenary state for the U.S. around the world? All one has to do is pick up a history book. Israel is complicit in a lot of evil throughout the world.  All is well though because God sees all evil and will punish it. Another issue in the Israel debate is, are we talking about the Orthodox or Messianic Jews?

People always make these wonderful acclamations pertaining to the Jews but the fundamental question has yet to be asked. Who is a Jew and what does it mean to live as a Jew? Jewish roots have been flawed throughout the ages, why strain the relationship further by acting irresponsibly as Adler did. At least he came to his senses and stepped down.